Ohio Healthy Families Act Removed From Ballot

Kegler Brown E-mployment AlertSeptember 4, 2008by Lawrence Feheley

In a move that's sure to satisfy businesses across Ohio, Governor Ted Strickland, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and Ohioans for Healthy Families announced that Issue 4 - the Ohio Healthy Families Act, which would have mandated seven paid sick days for all employees working 30 hours or more a week in businesses employing at least 25 employees- will be removed from the ballot this November.

SEIU District 1199 president Becky Williams commented that this decision was not an easy one. "Though we are certain - and every public opinion poll bears us out -that voters would support the Healthy Families Act if it were on the ballot, we respect the Governor's wish to avoid a negative and divisive campaign fight that could hurt Ohio", she said. "That was never our intent, and it certainly would not be in the best interests of the state we love. To avoid that outcome - and since Gov. Strickland and Sen. Brown have assured us they will do all they can to pass a federal paid sick day law---we believe this is the right thing to do."

While we all will have to wait to see what Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown plans to introduce at the federal level, Ohio businesses can breathe a little easier after this decision and the knowledge that this ill-proposed legislation will no longer be threatening to hold them hostage. Thanks to the hard work of dedicated businesses that voiced their ardent opposition to Issue 4, the state will no longer run the risk of positioning itself against the business community.

Accordingly, all "How the Proposed 'Ohio Healthy Families Act' Would Affect You" breakfast briefings scheduled for later this month have been canceled. As always, Kegler Brown will continue to keep you up-to-date on any further developments.